Identifying purpose and context of a line of people

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer program product is disclosed for identifying the purpose and context of a line of people using mobile devices. A message is generated for transmitting to one or more mobile devices, and the message identifies a purpose of a line of people. The message is transmittable using a beacon at a starting point of the line. The message includes the purpose of the line to a first mobile device of a first person in the line. The message transmitted by the beacon is receivable by at least the first mobile device. In sequence, the message is transmitted, to each of a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people in the line, from the first mobile device to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, thereby relaying the message including the purpose of the line to multiple mobile devices, respectively.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for identifying apurpose and context of a line of people waiting in a line or queue, andmore specifically, identifying and conveying information regarding theline of people to the people in the line using mobile devices.

Typical waits in a common area, such as a line (also known as a queue)of people waiting for services, check-out, check-in, can be timeconsuming. Such common areas can include, for example, airports, orother modes of transportation, or shopping malls, or many other venueswhere people line up to enter, check out, complete a transaction or waitfor services. For example, line or queues of people can include liningup to check out or complete a transaction such as in a shopping mall, orlines of people to check in, such as at a hotel, or to purchase aticket, such as for a movie. Further examples of people forming lines orqueues can include lines occurring at an airport or customs area. Onecommon concern in many examples and venues it a person can enter a lineand wait in a line, and not be sure if they are on or in the correctline, or waiting on the line only to find out that they are not on thecorrect line or queue. It is understood that the correct line is a linethat the person intended to be in for reaching the destination pointthat the person intended. This can be frustrating, time consuming, andeven cause more severe problems when meeting a time deadline or gainingentrance has a hard deadline, such as a flight time, causing a personexpense, time loss, and missed opportunities.

Many situations or circumstances exist where an individual, person, orgroup of people, may approach long lines and be unsure which line theyshould join the line of people (e.g., at an airport during a majorweather delay). It would therefore be beneficial for a system or processto assist in determining and/or confirm the purpose of a line to ensurethat a person is on the correct line, or standing in the correct line,without having to walk to a front of the line to confirm thepurpose/context of the line, or confirm with others in the line thepurpose of the line, as other people on the line can also be mistaken asto the purpose of the line they are standing or waiting on.

For example, busy airports, train stations, entertainment venues, andother large events may all have long lines where people must wait theirturn or wait in a queue. In one example, standing in a line can betroubling when a person learns they are in the wrong line after waitinga significant amount of time, resulting in loss of time for the person,as well as possible financial loss.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure recognizing the shortcomings and problemsassociated with entering or waiting on a line of people and not be sureof the purpose of the line or if waiting on the correct line. It wouldbe desirable for a method and system to ensure a person in a lineunderstands the purpose of the line via an electronic transmission tothe person's mobile device, thereby confirming the context of the line.Such line identification is important for a person waiting or entering aline, and can save time, expense for the person. Thus, having a means toidentify a purpose of a line that people are waiting in (or standing orqueuing in a line) or entering, to identify or confirm the person is onthe correct line based on the purpose of the line would be highlybeneficial.

In one aspect according to the invention, a method for identifying thepurpose and context of a line of people using mobile devices, includes:generating a message for transmitting to one or more mobile devices, themessage identifying a purpose of a line of people, and the message beingtransmittable using a beacon at a starting point of the line;transmitting the message using the beacon, the message including thepurpose of the line and being receivable by a first mobile device of afirst person in the line; and transmitting the message, in response tothe first mobile device receiving the message, in sequence to each of aplurality of mobile devices belonging to people in the line, from thefirst mobile device to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevices, thereby relaying the message including the purpose of the lineof people to multiple mobile devices of the people in the line,respectively.

In another aspect according to the present invention, a system foridentifying the purpose and context of a line of people using mobiledevices, includes: a computer system comprising: a computer processor, acomputer-readable storage medium, and program instructions stored on thecomputer-readable storage medium being executable by the processor, tocause the computer system to: generate a message for transmitting to oneor more mobile devices, the message identifying a purpose of a line ofpeople, and the message being transmittable using a beacon at a startingpoint of the line, the beacon communicating with the computer system;transmit the message using the beacon, the message including the purposeof the line and being receivable by a first mobile device of a firstperson in the line; and transmit, in response to the first mobile devicereceiving the message, in sequence to each of a plurality of mobiledevices belonging to people in the line, from the first mobile device toa next mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, therebyrelaying the message including the purpose of the line of people tomultiple mobile devices of the people in the line, respectively.

In another aspect of the present invention, a computer program productidentifies the purpose and context of a line of people using mobiledevices. The computer program product comprises a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, whereinthe computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se,and the program instructions are executable by a computer to cause thecomputer to perform a method, including: generating a message fortransmitting to one or more mobile devices, the message identifying apurpose of a line of people, and the message being transmittable using abeacon at a starting point of the line; transmitting the message usingthe beacon, the message including the purpose of the line and beingreceivable by a first mobile device of a first person in the line; andtransmitting, in response to the first mobile device receiving themessage, in sequence to each of a plurality of mobile devices belongingto people in the line, from the first mobile device to a next mobiledevice of the plurality of mobile devices, thereby relaying the messageincluding the purpose of the line of people to multiple mobile devicesof the people in the line, respectively.

In other aspects according to the invention, a method identifies thepurpose and context of a line of people using mobile devices. A messageis generated for transmitting to one or more mobile devices, and themessage identifies a purpose of a line of people. The message istransmittable using a beacon at a starting point of the line. Themessage is transmitted using a short distance communication protocolusing the beacon. The message includes the purpose of the line to afirst mobile device of a first person in the line. The beacon has aspecified range, and the message transmitted by the beacon is receivableby at least the first mobile device. Transmitting the message, insequence to each of a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people inthe line, from the first mobile device to a next mobile device of theplurality of mobile devices. Thereby, the message is relayed, includingthe purpose of the line of people to multiple mobile devices of thepeople in the line, respectively.

In another aspect according to the present invention, a system foridentifying the purpose and context of a line of people using mobiledevices includes a computer system comprising: a computer processor, acomputer-readable storage medium, and program instructions stored on thecomputer-readable storage medium being executable by the processor, tocause the computer system to: generate a message for transmitting to oneor more mobile devices, the message identifying a purpose of a line ofpeople, and the message being transmittable using a beacon at a startingpoint of the line, the beacon communicating with the computer system;transmit the message using a short distance communication protocol usingthe beacon, the message including the purpose of the line to a firstmobile device of a first person in the line, the beacon having aspecified range, and the message transmitted by the beacon beingreceivable by at least the first mobile device; and transmit, insequence to each of a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people inthe line, from the first mobile device to a next mobile device of theplurality of mobile devices, thereby relaying the message including thepurpose of the line of people to multiple mobile devices of the peoplein the line, respectively.

In another aspect according to the present invention, a computer programproduct for identifying the purpose and context of a line of peopleusing mobile devices includes the computer program product comprising acomputer readable storage medium having program instructions embodiedtherewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitorysignal per se, and the program instructions are executable by a computerto cause the computer to perform a method, comprising: generating amessage for transmitting to one or more mobile devices, the messageidentifying a purpose of a line of people, and the message beingtransmittable using a beacon at a starting point of the line;transmitting the message using a short distance communication protocolusing the beacon, the message including the purpose of the line to afirst mobile device of a first person in the line, the beacon having aspecified range, and the message transmitted by the beacon beingreceivable by at least the first mobile device; and transmitting, insequence to each of a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people inthe line, from the first mobile device to a next mobile device of theplurality of mobile devices, thereby relaying the message including thepurpose of the line of people to multiple mobile devices of the peoplein the line, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings arenot to scale as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating oneskilled in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction withthe detailed description. The drawing are discussed forthwith below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overview of a systemand methodology for identifying the purpose and context of a line ofpeople using mobile devices, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method, implemented using thesystem shown in FIG. 1, for identifying the purpose and context of aline of people using mobile devices, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method continuing from themethod from FIG. 2, for identifying the purpose and context of a line ofpeople using mobile device, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another method continuing from themethod from FIG. 2, for identifying the purpose and context of a line ofpeople using mobile device, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram depicting a computer systemaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure which may be incorporated,all or in part, in one or more computers or devices shown in FIG. 1, andcooperates with the system and methods shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a system depicting systemcomponents for use, all or in part, with the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting a cloud computing environmentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting abstraction model layers accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enablea clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention isprovided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose oflimiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a method 100 (FIG. 2) with reference to asystem 10 (FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis provided for identifying the purpose and context of a line of peopleand transmitting the purpose of the line to user mobile devices ofpeople in or entering the line. The purpose and context of the line ofpeople is communicated to the people on the line, so that the people onthe line can confirm they are on the correct line. It is understood thatthe correct line is a line that the person intended to be in forreaching the destination point that the person intended.

Referring to FIG. 2, a beacon 20 is designed and configured to transmita signal or message 30 within a specified range of the beacon, as inblock 108. The beacon can be placed at a known line stating point orbeginning. The method 100 includes identifying a purpose for a line ofpeople, using the beacon 20 at a starting point or the beginning of theline, as in block 108. The beacon 20 designates the starting point of aline, in the embodiment of the disclosure shown in FIG. 1. In theembodiment of the disclosure shown in FIG. 1, the beacon 20 transmits toa second location 24 for a second line 40 of three lines, wherein thethree lines include the second line 40 and a first line 50 and a thirdline 52. The second location 24 is an example of a specified range ofthe beacon 20, or also can be referred to as a transmitting area. Thebeacon can also be referred to as an originating sensor, and forexample, be embodied as a device, mobile device, computer, drone, orother unit configured and capable of providing the functionality of thebeacon described herein. The geographical area 12 can include aplurality of lines of people.

The beacon 20 is designed and configured to transmit a signal or message30 within the specified range of the beacon (as in step 104), thus thebeacon transmits to a specified line, in this case, the second line 40,and its vicinity designated by the second location 24. The message 30(which is also referred to as a transmitted or transmittingsignal/message) can be a transmitted using a designated protocol such asa short distance communication (PAN). The transmitted message 30 can beconfigured to communicate with any device, for example a mobile device,or a smartphone, or any IoT device via Internet of Things (IoT), withinthe specified range of the transmission, indicated as the secondlocation 24 for the beacon 20. People queued (users 46), outside thesecond location 24 on other lines, for example, the first line 50 andthe third line 52, do not receive the transmitted signal 30 on theirrespective mobile devices as not being at or within the second location24. People queued (users 46) outside the second location 24, but on thesecond line 40 do not receive the transmitted signal 30 from the beacon20 as they are outside the second location 24. However, people queuedoutside the second location but on the second line receive thetransmitted signal (via their respective mobile devices) from otherusers on the second line as is explain herein.

The method 100 includes transmitting a message 30 (e.g., a transmittingsignal/message in FIG. 1) using a short distance communication protocolusing the beacon 20, as in block 112. The message includes the purposeof the line, for example, but not limited to, a text message, anotification, and/or a symbol, or other indication of the purpose of theline. A message and the length of the message can vary. For example, atan airport, the message can read, for example, ‘Line for Flight 222’, orin another instance ‘check-in line for domestic flights’. The messagecan also include a timestamp. The timestamp can include the time ofarrival in the line. For example, the timestamp can include the time themessage was initiated for the next device in the line, by either thebeacon or another mobile device. Thus, the timestamp identifies the timethe next device was recognized and the next person entered the line.

The message is transmitted to at least a first mobile device of a firstperson in the line, which is generically depicted in FIG. 1 as a firstuser (or first person) 42 having a first device 44 (e.g., a mobiledevice) queuing in the second line 40. The first user 42 is in thesecond location 24, designated as the vicinity of the transmittingsignal/message 30, and the message 30 transmitted by the beacon 20, isreceived by at least the first device 44 or first mobile device, as inblock 116.

Additional users or persons in the line are depicted as additional users46 and devices 48, for an N number of users and devices, the totalnumber of users and devices in the line is denoted by device-N anduser-N (FIG. 1). As discussed above the beacon 20 has a specified rangedepicted as the second location 24, and the transmitted message 30 bythe beacon is receivable by at least the first device 44 of the firstuser 42.

The message is transmitted in sequence to each of a plurality of mobiledevices of people in the line from the first mobile device to a nextmobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, as in block 120.Thereby, the message is relayed from the first device 44 to the nextdevice 48 in the line, and from the next device 48 to another device 48for as many devices are in the line. Thereby, the purpose of the line istransmitted to all the devices 48-N in the line enabling the user orpeople in the line to ascertain or confirm the purpose of the line.

The transmitting in sequence (or relaying) including, in one embodimentof the present disclosure, transmitting from the first device to anotherdevice of another user, as in block 124. For example, the first device44 can transmit the message, that is, relay or re-transmit the message30, to another device 48 for another user 46, and in turn, the anotheruser on the second line 40 can relay or re-transmit the message toanother device for another user, for the length of the line or thenumber of users and devices on the line represented by device-N 48 anduser-N 46.

In one example, each device 48 and user 46 in the second line relays tore-transmits the message 30 based on the proximity of another device anduser to a device that has already received the message. For example, asdiscussed above, the message can be relayed from the first device 44 tothe next device 48 in the line, and from the next device 48 to anotherdevice 48 for as many devices are in the line, based on proximity to thenext device. For example, the proximity can be determined by apositioning application using GPS. For instance, when another device iswithin a specified range to the previous device which has received themessage, the message is transmitted to the next device. Such specifiedrange can be, for example, a two feet radius from the device which hasalready received the message.

Thus, the message is received at the another device 48 of the anotheruser 46, as in block 128 of the method 100. Referring to block 132 ofFIG. 2, the method determines if another device and another user are inthe second line 40. When another device is detected at block 132, themethod proceeds to transmit the message from the another device of theanother user at block 136, and the message is received at another deviceof another user, as in block 138. When another device is not detected atblock 132, the method ends.

Examples of Transmission Between Devices of Users

In one example, when there are a plurality of lines as first line 50,second line 40 and third line 52, the discussed short distancecommunication protocol (PAN) to communicate with or talk to any device(for example, an IoT device or smartphone) in the range of the beacon,to determine what the line purpose is associated with the beacon forthat line. Each mobile device, such as a mobile phone, starting at thefront of the line within the range of the beacon, would relay the line'spurpose, via a communication message, to each mobile device that queriesfor the lines purpose. In one example, a mobile device can query abeacon for a transmitted signal/message. Such a query can be initiatedfrom an application on the mobile device, or as part of a mappingapplication or GPS application on the mobile device.

In one example according to the present disclosure, an electronic formalhandshake is not needed between devices relying a message or passing atoken. For example, the token indicating the line purpose could bepassed, and the processed by an application. In one example, wirelesstechnology standard for exchanging data over short distances can be usedfor transmitting the message to a mobile device in range of the beacon,and subsequent transmission of the message from one mobile device toanother.

A short range protocol or transmission method can be used whentransmitting from device to device, such as from first device 44, todevice 48, and device-N 48, and in one example, using a token, whichwill be explained in greater detail below. In one example, the messagecan be transmitted using an Internet of Things (IoT) protocol forreception and transmitting by the plurality of mobile devices.

Smart IoT devices can communicate from one device to another to providecontext of the line (or a purpose of the line) to users of the lines,via their mobile devices, and provide context and purpose of the line tothe users by dynamically communicating in real time. In one example, asa person enters or leaves a line, they can be alerted by a message oftheir status change regarding the line. The message can be initiated byan application on the person's mobile device, as part of or inconjunction with GPS or an application using GPS, which detects that theperson is out of a range of another mobile device on the line.

Similarly, a smart devices short-range IoT protocol can be used todetermine whether the person has left the line, and to initiate anotification, e.g., entering or leaving a line. Being out of range ofanother mobile device, or an IoT device, in the case that the IoT deviceis stationary, can be used to detect and determine that a person is outof range, and determine when a person is leaving a line. Similarly,being in range of another mobile device, or an IoT device, can be usedto detect and determine that a person is in-range, and determine when aperson I entering a line.

Example of Entering a Zone

Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment according to the presentdisclosure, a method 200 continues from block 108 of method 100, whereinthe second location 24 can be a defined zone within a venue. The method200 includes the beacon monitoring a zone for a mobile device enteringthe zone, as in block 152. The method 200 includes the beacon detectinga mobile device entering the zone, in block 154. When the mobile device(and a new user) enters the zone, the beacon transmits the purpose ofthe line to the mobile device, as in block 156. The method 200 thenreturns to block 120 of the method 100 shown in FIG. 1.

In one example according of the embodiments of the disclosure, the zoneor area can be a circular area (for example, a small area such asextending two feet, or a two foot radius), establishing a zone forcommunicating the purpose of the line to the next device.

Once a new device comes into a zone or area, the transmittal message istransmitted to the new mobile device (or phone). As a new mobile deviceenters the area, and thus each new device (e.g., mobile device orsmartphone) joins a line, the mobile device becomes another link in thecommunications chain to pass along line identification data, embodied asor in the transmitted message.

Additional Examples of Implementation

The method 100, can include, at least in part, embodying steps of themethod in a computer program stored in a device, for example, a computerdevice, or a beacon. The steps of the method, at least in part, can alsobe part of a computer program stored remotely (for example, in thecloud, or on a remote server), and transmitting to or controlling abeacon (or local beacon), or the method can be stored remotely utilizingcloud computing. And in a further example, the method, at least in part,can be part of a program stored on a drone, or stored remotely andcommunicating with a drone. In another example, the beacon can be partof or incorporated into a drone, or the drone acts as the beacon. Thecomputer program can be located in a beacon, or other device, and can belocated remotely and controlling a local beacon or device fortransmitting a signal to devices of users on a line. In an alternative,a program, at least in part embodying the method 100, can be part of aremote server or computer 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The computer caninclude a database 26 and a program 25. The remote server or computer 22can communicate with a beacon or local beacon, using a communicationnetwork 55, for example, the Internet. The remote server may include adatabase for storing data. In the presently described embodiment shownin FIG. 1, computer components, program, and interactions of exampleremote servers, programs, or computers are generically shown in FIG. 5and described in the present disclosure.

Alternative Example/Embodiment Using Token

Implementation Using a Token

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the method 100can include, in whole or in part, transmitting a token 35 as thesignal/message, or as part of the signal/message, in a near fieldcommunication (NFC). Referring to FIG. 4, a method 300 continues fromblock 108 of the method 100, wherein the beacon generates a token 35 asthe message or as part of the message for transmitting to a device inthe second location or zone 24, as in block 302. The token indicated apurpose of the line. Using the beacon, a location or zone is monitoredfor a mobile device to enter the location or zone, as in block 304. Themethod 300 includes transmitting the token from the beacon to the firstmobile device 44 of the first user 42 in the second location or zone 24,as in block 306. The purpose of the line is indicated using the token(block 308). The token in transmitted sequentially from the first mobiledevice to the next mobile device of the plurality of mobile device, asin block 310. Thereby, relaying the token including the purpose of theline of people to multiple mobile device of respective people in theline. In one example, the token can be transmitted in response to a nextmobile device entering a range or radius defined by the first mobiledevice, thereby initiating the transfer of the token to the next mobiledevice. Likewise, the next mobile device, in response to another mobiledevice entering the range or radius defined by the nest mobile device,can initiate transmitting the token to another mobile device, and soforth for N-number of mobile devices.

The token is transmitted in sequence including, in one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, transmitting the token from the first device toanother device of another user, as in block 312. This can continue, asdescribed above, by relaying or re-transmitting the token to anotherdevice for another user, for the length of the line or the number ofusers and devices on the line represented by device-N 48 and user-N 46.

Thus, the token is received at the another device 48 of the another user46, as in block 314 of the method 300. Referring to block 316 of FIG. 4,the method determines if another device and another user are in thesecond line 40. When another device is detected at block 316, the methodproceeds to transmit the token from the another device of the anotheruser at block 318, and the message is received at another device ofanother user, as in block 320. When another device is not detected atblock 316, the method can end. Alternatively, when another device anduser in not in the line (at block 316), the method can continue to amonitoring step (for example, block 304) where the beacon monitors thesecond location or zone for entrance of another mobile device totransmit the token to.

In one example, the token can expire after a specified period of time ortime period. The time period can be, for example, based on a time of anevent, such as a time of an airplane flight, or a concert or movie time.For instance, the token expires after the time of the event start timehas passed.

In another example, a vicinity locator can be used, for example, a GPS(Global Positioning Satellite) location application to locate persons ona line having a token. A person who was originally on the line canfinish on the line that is reached the front of the line and completedthe transaction they were on the lien for. At that point, the personleaves the line. Or a person can leave the line for any number ofreasons, including having to attend to an urgent o more pressing matter.The beacon can be located using GPS, that is, a GPS application, as wellas the people on the line having a token can be located using GPS or aGPS application. Thereby, a person who has left the line with a tokencan be distinguished from the others who still on the line with thetoken. The determination that a person has left the line can also bedetermined in conjunction with using a time stamp of when the token wastransmitted. Such that a threshold period of time between the tokentransmittal (timestamp) and the current time can be set to determine ifthe token is active and the person remains on the line. When one of thepeople on the line with the token are determined to not be in thevicinity with other people on the line which remain in the line, theperson not on the line can be concluded to have left the line. The tokencan be expired for the person who left the line. One or all of thetokens can be expired based on a threshold capacity of the line, such asa line waiting to enter a venue with a capacity, or a time for a show orevent, or a time period for completing a transaction, such as a ticketboth being open.

The computer system in the system 10 and discussed herein, such ascomputer 22 in FIG. 1, or a remote server, can include all or part of acomputer system 1000 and computer 1010 shown in FIG. 5, which disclosesa generic computer system 1000 and computer 1010. It is understood thatthe above disclosed computers/computer systems and the computer 1010 arerepresentative or illustrative of many alternative computer devices andare presented here as generic representations for the purposes of theembodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment discussed above,for illustrative purposes, the method of the present disclosure can beembodied in a computer program 1060 (FIG. 5) or a software applicationstored on the computer 1010. The computer 1010 can all or in partrepresent a computer, for example, the computer 22 in FIG. 1. Thecomputer 22, in FIG. 1, is shown as a remote computer or server whichcan embody a program incorporating the method of the present disclosure,however, in other embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure,a computer program embodying the present method can be part of acomputer system running locally in one or more of the illustratedcomponents of the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 (as was discussedhereinabove). Further, a computer program embodying the present methodcan be cloud based or part of a cloud environment. In one embodimentsuch a cloud based system or environment can include all or part of thecomputer system 1000 (FIG. 5) and cloud based environment componentsshown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Alternative embodiments can include a computerprogram stored remotely (for example, on a remote server 1100 (FIG. 5)),and, for example, can be implemented as a service.

Referring to FIG. 5, a system or computer environment 1000 includes acomputer system 1010 shown in the form of a generic computing device.The method 100, for example, may be embodied in a program 1060 embodiedon a computer readable storage device, for example, generally referredto as memory 1030 and more specifically, computer readable storagemedium 1050. For example, memory 1030 can include storage media 1034such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and cachememory 1038. The program 1060 is executable by the processor 1020 of thecomputer system 1010 (to execute program steps, code, or program code).Additional data storage may also be embodied as a database 1110 whichincludes data 1114. The computer system 1010 and the program 1060 shownin FIG. 5 are generic representations of a computer and program that maybe local to a user, or provided as a remote service (for example, as acloud based service), and may be provided in further examples, using awebsite accessible using the communications network 1200 (e.g.,interacting with a network, the Internet, or cloud services). It isunderstood that the computer system 1010 also generically representsherein a computer device or a computer included in a device, such as alaptop or desktop computer, etc., or one or more servers, alone or aspart of a datacenter. The computer system can include a networkadapter/interface 1026, and an input/output (I/O) interface(s) 1022. TheI/O interface 1022 allows for input and output of data with an externaldevice 1074 that may be connected to the computer system. The networkadapter/interface 1026 may provide communications between the computersystem a network generically shown as the communications network 1200.

The computer 1010 may be described in the general context of computersystem-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executedby a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.The method steps and system components and techniques may be embodied inmodules of the program 1060 for performing the tasks of each of thesteps of the method and system. The modules are generically representedin FIG. 5 as program modules 1064. The program 1060 and program modules1064 can execute specific steps, routines, sub-routines, instructions orcode, of the program.

The method of the present disclosure can be run locally on a device suchas a mobile device, or can be run a service, for instance, on the server1100 which may be remote and can be accessed using the communicationsnetwork 1200. The program or executable instructions may also be offeredas a service by a provider. The computer 1010 may be practiced in adistributed cloud computing environment where tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork 1200. In a distributed cloud computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer system storagemedia including memory storage devices.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the system or computerenvironment 1000 includes the computer system 1010 shown in the form ofa general-purpose computing device with illustrative periphery devices.The components of the computer system 1010 may include, but are notlimited to, one or more processors or processing units 1020, a systemmemory 1030, and a bus 1014 that couples various system componentsincluding system memory 1030 to processor 1020.

The bus 1014 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

The computer 1010 can include a variety of computer readable media. Suchmedia may be any available media that is accessible by the computer 1010(e.g., computer system, or server), and can include both volatile andnon-volatile media, as well as, removable and non-removable media.Computer memory 1030 can include additional computer readable media inthe form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 1034,and/or cache memory 1038. The computer 1010 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media,in one example, portable computer readable storage media 1072. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 1050 can be providedfor reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magneticmedia. The computer readable storage medium 1050 can be embodied, forexample, as a hard drive. Additional memory and data storage can beprovided, for example, as the storage system 1110 (e.g., a database) forstoring data 1114 and communicating with the processing unit 1020. Thedatabase can be stored on or be part of a server 1100. Although notshown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to aremovable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and anoptical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable,non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other opticalmedia can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus1014 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depictedand described below, memory 1030 may include at least one programproduct which can include one or more program modules that areconfigured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the presentinvention.

The method 100 (FIG. 2) (and methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), forexample, may be embodied in one or more computer programs, genericallyreferred to as a program 1060 and can be stored in memory 1030 in thecomputer readable storage medium 1050. The program 1060 can includeprogram modules 1064. The program modules 1064 can generally carry outfunctions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention asdescribed herein. The one or more programs 1060 are stored in memory1030 and are executable by the processing unit 1020. By way of example,the memory 1030 may store an operating system 1052, one or moreapplication programs 1054, other program modules, and program data onthe computer readable storage medium 1050. It is understood that theprogram 1060, and the operating system 1052 and the applicationprogram(s) 1054 stored on the computer readable storage medium 1050 aresimilarly executable by the processing unit 1020.

The computer 1010 may also communicate with one or more external devices1074 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 1080, etc.; one ormore devices that enable a user to interact with the computer 1010;and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enables thecomputer 1010 to communicate with one or more other computing devices.Such communication can occur via the Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 1022.Still yet, the computer 1010 can communicate with one or more networks1200 such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network(WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via networkadapter/interface 1026. As depicted, network adapter 1026 communicateswith the other components of the computer 1010 via bus 1014. It shouldbe understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or softwarecomponents could be used in conjunction with the computer 1010.Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers1024, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAIDsystems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

It is understood that a computer or a program running on the computer1010 may communicate with a server, embodied as the server 1100, via oneor more communications networks, embodied as the communications network1200. The communications network 1200 may include transmission media andnetwork links which include, for example, wireless, wired, or opticalfiber, and routers, firewalls, switches, and gateway computers. Thecommunications network may include connections, such as wire, wirelesscommunication links, or fiber optic cables. A communications network mayrepresent a worldwide collection of networks and gateways, such as theInternet, that use various protocols to communicate with one another,such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Transport ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Hypertext Transport Protocol(HTTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc. A network may alsoinclude a number of different types of networks, such as, for example,an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

In one example, a computer can use a network which may access a websiteon the Web (World Wide Web) using the Internet. In one embodiment, acomputer 1010, including a mobile device, can use a communicationssystem or network 1200 which can include the Internet, or a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) for example, a cellular network. ThePSTN may include telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwavetransmission links, cellular networks, and communications satellites.The Internet may facilitate numerous searching and texting techniques,for example, using a cell phone or laptop computer to send queries tosearch engines via text messages (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS) (related to SMS), email, or a web browser. The search engine canretrieve search results, that is, links to websites, documents, or otherdownloadable data that correspond to the query, and similarly, providethe search results to the user via the device as, for example, a webpage of search results.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example system 1500 for use with the embodimentsof the present disclosure is depicted. The system 1500 includes aplurality of components and elements connected via a system bus 1504(also referred to as a bus). At least one processor (CPU) 1510, isconnected to other components via the system bus 1504. A cache 1570, aRead Only Memory (ROM) 1512, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 1514, aninput/output (I/O) adapter 1520, a sound adapter 1530, a network adapter1540, a user interface adapter 1552, a display adapter 1560 and adisplay device 1562, are also operatively coupled to the system bus 1504of the system 1500.

One or more storage devices 1522 are operatively coupled to the systembus 1504 by the I/O adapter 1520. The storage device 1522, for example,can be any of a disk storage device (e.g., a magnetic or optical diskstorage device), a solid state magnetic device, and so forth. Thestorage device 1522 can be the same type of storage device or differenttypes of storage devices. A speaker 1532 is operatively coupled tosystem bus 1504 by the sound adapter 1530. A transceiver 1542 isoperatively coupled to system bus 1504 by the network adapter 1540. Adisplay 1562 is operatively coupled to the system bus 1504 by thedisplay adapter 1560.

One or more user input devices 1550 are operatively coupled to thesystem bus 1504 by the user interface adapter 1552. The user inputdevices 1550 can be, for example, any of a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad,an image capture device, a motion sensing device, a microphone, a deviceincorporating the functionality of at least two of the precedingdevices, and so forth. Other types of input devices can also be used,while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. The user inputdevices 1550 can be the same type of user input device or differenttypes of user input devices. The user input devices 1550 are used toinput and output information to and from the system 1500.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrative cloud computing environment 2050is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 2050 includes one ormore cloud computing nodes 2010 with which local computing devices usedby cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant(PDA) or cellular telephone 2054A, desktop computer 2054B, laptopcomputer 2054C, and/or automobile computer system 2054N may communicate.Nodes 2010 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 2050to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for whicha cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a localcomputing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices2054A-N shown in FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and thatcomputing nodes 2010 and cloud computing environment 2050 cancommunicate with any type of computerized device over any type ofnetwork and/or network addressable connection (e.g., using a webbrowser).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 2050 (FIG. 7) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 2060 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 2061;RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 2062;servers 2063; blade servers 2064; storage devices 2065; and networks andnetworking components 2066. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 2067 and database software2068.

Virtualization layer 2070 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers2071; virtual storage 2072; virtual networks 2073, including virtualprivate networks; virtual applications and operating systems 2074; andvirtual clients 2075.

In one example, management layer 2080 may provide the functionsdescribed below. Resource provisioning 2081 provides dynamic procurementof computing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 2082provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 2083 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 2084provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 2085 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 2090 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 2091; software development and lifecycle management 2092;virtual classroom education delivery 2093; data analytics processing2094; transaction processing 2095; and assessing or identifying thepurpose and context of a line of people and communicating to userdevices the purpose and context of the line 2096.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Likewise,examples of features or functionality of the embodiments of thedisclosure described herein, whether used in the description of aparticular embodiment, or listed as examples, are not intended to limitthe embodiments of the disclosure described herein, or limit thedisclosure to the examples described herein. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for identifying the purpose and contextof a line of people using mobile devices, comprising: generating amessage for transmitting to one or more mobile devices, the messageidentifying a purpose of a line of people, and the message beingtransmittable using a beacon at a starting point of the line;transmitting the message using the beacon, the message including thepurpose of the line and being receivable by a first mobile device of afirst person in the line; and transmitting the message, in response tothe first mobile device receiving the message, in sequence to each of aplurality of mobile devices belonging to people in the line, from thefirst mobile device to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevices, thereby relaying the message including the purpose of the lineof people to multiple mobile devices of the people in the line,respectively.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of themessage includes, at least in part, using an internet of things (IoT)protocol for reception and transmitting of the message by the pluralityof mobile devices.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:defining a zone within a venue; detecting a new mobile device enteringthe zone; and transmitting the message including the purpose of the lineto the new mobile device, in response to the new mobile device enteringthe zone, the message being transmitted using the beacon or by one ofthe plurality of mobile devices having received the message.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: creating a token at the beacon;transmitting the token from the beacon to the first mobile device; andtransmitting the token sequentially from the first mobile device to thenext mobile device of the plurality of mobile device, in response to thenext mobile device being within a range of the first mobile device, andin response to another mobile device being within the range of the nextmobile device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the beacon is part of adrone, the drone being positioned at the starting point of the line. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating multiple messagesfor each of a plurality of lines of people for transmitting to aplurality of mobile devices, respectively, of the plurality of people onthe lines; distinguishing the lines of people from each other at leastin part using the plurality of mobile devise; and transmitting each ofthe messages of the multiple messages to respective devices on anassociated line of the plurality of lines.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: generating multiple messages for each of a pluralityof lines of people for transmitting to a plurality of mobile devices,respectively, each of the multiple messages identifying a respectivepurpose of each of their respective lines of people, each of themessages being transmittable using a respective beacon of a plurality ofbeacons positioned at a starting point of each of the plurality oflines; and transmitting each of the messages using the short distancecommunication protocol using the respective beacons, the messagesincluding the purpose of the line to a first mobile device of the firstperson in each of the lines, the beacons having the specified range, andthe messages transmitted by the beacons being receivable by at least thefirst mobile devices at each of the respective lines of people.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: transmitting, in sequence to eachof a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people in each of therespective lines, from the first mobile device of each of the respectivelines to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices in eachof the respective lines, thereby relaying the message for each of therespective lines including the purpose of each of the lines of people tomultiple mobile devices of the people in each of the respective lines.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: defining a zone within avenue for each of the plurality of lines of people; detecting a newmobile device entering one of the plurality of zones; and transmittingthe message including the purpose of the line to the new mobile devicefor the respective zone, in response to the new mobile device enteringthe respective zone, the message being transmitted using the respectivebeacon or by one of the plurality of mobile devices having received themessage in the respective zone.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thedetecting the new mobile device entering on of the plurality of zones isbased on using a global positioning system (GPS) to located and positiona mobile device in relation to one of the zones.
 11. A system foridentifying the purpose and context of a line of people using mobiledevices, the system comprising: a computer system comprising: a computerprocessor, a computer-readable storage medium, and program instructionsstored on the computer-readable storage medium being executable by theprocessor, to cause the computer system to: generate a message fortransmitting to one or more mobile devices, the message identifying apurpose of a line of people, and the message being transmittable using abeacon at a starting point of the line, the beacon communicating withthe computer system; transmit the message using the beacon, the messageincluding the purpose of the line and being receivable by a first mobiledevice of a first person in the line; and transmit, in response to thefirst mobile device receiving the message, in sequence to each of aplurality of mobile devices belonging to people in the line, from thefirst mobile device to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevices, thereby relaying the message including the purpose of the lineof people to multiple mobile devices of the people in the line,respectively.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the transmitting ofthe message includes, at least in part, using an internet of things(IoT) protocol for reception and transmitting of the message by theplurality of mobile devices.
 13. The system of claim 11, further causingthe computer system to: define a zone within a venue; detect a newmobile device entering the zone; and transmit the message including thepurpose of the line to the new mobile device, in response to the newmobile device entering the zone, the message being transmitted using thebeacon or by one of the plurality of mobile devices having received themessage.
 14. The system of claim 11, further causing the computer systemto: create a token at the beacon; transmit the token from the beacon tothe first mobile device; and transmit the token sequentially from thefirst mobile device to the next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevice, in response to the next mobile device being within a range ofthe first mobile device, and in response to another mobile device beingwithin the range of the next mobile device.
 15. The system of claim 11,wherein the beacon is part of a drone, the drone being positioned at thestarting point of the line.
 16. The system of claim 11, further causingthe computer system to: generate multiple messages for each of aplurality of lines of people for transmitting to a plurality of mobiledevices, respectively, of the plurality of people on the lines;distinguish the lines of people from each other at least in part usingthe plurality of mobile devise; and transmit each of the messages of themultiple messages to respective devices on an associated line of theplurality of lines.
 17. The system of claim 11, further causing thecomputer system to: generate multiple messages for each of a pluralityof lines of people for transmitting to a plurality of mobile devices,respectively, each of the multiple messages identifying a respectivepurpose of each of their respective lines of people, each of themessages being transmittable using a respective beacon of a plurality ofbeacons positioned at a starting point of each of the plurality oflines; and transmit each of the messages using the short distancecommunication protocol using the respective beacons, the messagesincluding the purpose of the line to a first mobile device of the firstperson in each of the lines, the beacons having the specified range, andthe messages transmitted by the beacons being receivable by at least thefirst mobile devices at each of the respective lines of people.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, further causing the computer system to: transmit, insequence to each of a plurality of mobile devices belonging to people ineach of the respective lines, from the first mobile device of each ofthe respective lines to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevices in each of the respective lines, thereby relaying the messagefor each of the respective lines including the purpose of each of thelines of people to multiple mobile devices of the people in each of therespective lines.
 19. The system of claim 18, further causing thecomputer system to: define a zone within a venue for each of theplurality of lines of people; detect a new mobile device entering one ofthe plurality of zones; and transmit the message including the purposeof the line to the new mobile device for the respective zone, inresponse to the new mobile device entering the respective zone, themessage being transmitted using the respective beacon or by one of theplurality of mobile devices having received the message in therespective zone.
 20. A computer program product for identifying thepurpose and context of a line of people using mobile devices, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computerreadable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the programinstructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform amethod, comprising: generating a message for transmitting to one or moremobile devices, the message identifying a purpose of a line of people,and the message being transmittable using a beacon at a starting pointof the line; transmitting the message using the beacon, the messageincluding the purpose of the line and being receivable by a first mobiledevice of a first person in the line; and transmitting, in response tothe first mobile device receiving the message, in sequence to each of aplurality of mobile devices belonging to people in the line, from thefirst mobile device to a next mobile device of the plurality of mobiledevices, thereby relaying the message including the purpose of the lineof people to multiple mobile devices of the people in the line,respectively.